Architect in : Vitruvius writes De Architectura

How many years does it take to become an architect? In most countries it takes five to seven years of accredited university study followed by several years of supervised practical experience before a licensing exam. In the United States, NCARB reports the average candidate now takes 13.3 years from entering architecture school to earning a license, though newer programs that overlap study with paid experience are shortening that timeline.

What is the difference between an architect and a civil engineer? Do you need a license to call yourself an architect? In most jurisdictions, yes — "architect" is a legally protected title, not just a job description. Someone can design buildings and work in a firm for years as a designer or project architect without being licensed, but only a registered architect can legally stamp construction drawings, and using the title without registration can carry fines or even count as a criminal offence.

It varies enormously by country, seniority and firm size. The median pay for an architect in the United States was $96,690 a year in 2024, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, ranging from around $60,000 for the newest licensees to over $159,000 for the most experienced. Owners and partners of successful firms can earn considerably more; salaried architects elsewhere typically earn solid middle-class wages.